Vandals strike in Middleton

Thursday

May 15, 2014 at 3:15 AM

By Joann coskietjc@tjcoskie.com

MIDDLETON — Last Sunday was Mother’s Day. It was beautiful weather, and my daughter came up to visit. After her visit, I decided to work outdoors for a while. Sorry, but seriously, I forgot all about writing a column this week. Then I opened my email and found out how some person or persons vandalized the Society for the Protection of NH Forest’s kiosk on New Portsmouth Road. I doubt their mother(s) are proud of them! After all the work done, mostly by volunteers, to make the land a great place to visit, how sad that some think it is fun to be destructive.

They must really lead pathetic lives if that’s what they call fun. This is my ‘lead story’ because this is not the kind of reputation Middleton should be known for. Visit www.moosemountainsreservation.blogspot.com to see what is threatened by this kind of action. There is also a link where you can see a review of a year’s worth of their work, including reports of earlier vandalism. If you have information on the criminals responsible, please call Middleton Police at (603) 473-8548. The Board of Selectmen met on May 5 for a pleasantly brief agenda. After approving minutes for the April 28 meeting and signing yet another intent to cut permit, they reviewed the bids submitted for work on the Highway Garage. Only two bids were submitted, with the contract going to Mark Soucy of Union. He and his younger brother, Tom, have both been in the construction business for over 50 years, starting their careers in their early teens. They have the expertise to build anything from a shed to a new home and do remodeling and finish cabinet work as well. Mark is proud of his philosophy of ‘building the future and rebuilding the past.’ The annual spring bulk pick-up is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3. That’s the time to put out the large items you know you can’t sell (or don’t want to transport) to the June 21 Yard Sale. Since Waste Management won’t take certain items, Middleton ‘s answer is Recycle Day, Saturday, Aug. 16. That’s the day to dispose of TVs and electronic items such as computer CPUs or monitors. Take them to the Highway Garage on Saturday, Aug. 16 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Middleton will also provide an opportunity to dispose of metal items, appliances and old tires the same day. Collection for those will be at the Town gravel pit on Ridge Road—details to be announced later.

Social news

Scheduled for the kids is an egg hunt (Lindt Chocolates, compliments of their store in Stratham), plant-a-pumpkin seed, make a firefly bug, all on Saturday, May 17 beginning at 10 a.m. hosted by the Middleton Recreation Committee.

Also hosted by the Recreation Committee, the Middleton Yard Sale will be Saturday, June 21. Get your space reserved early by calling Tammy or Joe Bailey at 755-3225. This year’s event promises to be better than ever.

Don’t forget Saturday, May 17 is also Armed Forces Day. If you served, thank you; if you know someone who did, thank them. The day was established, largely led by President Harry S. Truman, to honor all services after the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. Wikipedia has quite a good bio on Truman, who was president during World War II, the creation of the United Nations, the Berlin Airlift, and the Korean War. Good recommended reading.

Late as usual, I want to wish my brother, George Prine, a belated Happy Birthday. Yep, they even read the Rochester Times in Sarasota, Fla. He’s older than I am, but I seem to be the one suffering from forgetfulness!

Unless something of particular importance requires reporting, there will be no Middleton columns on May 29 and June 5. If you do have news to report, send me an email — I’ll be checking those.

Police activity

Just 9 entries to report for the week April 28 through May 4. It started with a civil standby on Monday the 28th on Route 153 and paperwork service to Woodland Drive. Quiet reigned until May 1, then only two entries; a sex offender registration and a pistol permit application. On May 2, Maple Road was the scene of an animal involved incident. Milton was provided mutual aid on three occasions; May 3 on Hopper Road, May 4 on Route 125 and Townhouse Road. A noise complaint was logged for May 3 on Silver Street.

Just one final note on vandalism in our town — if you know anything about the damage to SPNHF’s kiosk, please call the Middleton Police at 473-8548.